USA compound men win 7th world title

The USA compound men won a seventh team gold medal in 12 editions of the World Archery Championships by beating Italy in the final, 235-228, and reclaiming a title the proud compound nation held undefeated from 2003 through 2011.

“Last time, I wouldn’t say we lost the title because we didn’t even compete,” said Gellenthien. The US squad did not make the cut for eliminations after one of the team’s archer’s scores was nullified due to a scorecard completion error.

“This year, we ran through the entire roster and we came out on top.”

Kristofer Schaff added: “I couldn’t have picked two better teammates to do it with.”

With experienced Gellenthien, at his eighth championships in a row – the first being New York in 2003 – and Anderson and Schaff at their first, the United States only dropped five arrows out of the 10-ring in the gold medal match.

“My first [gold medal], I was the third and it felt so awesome to be the one contributing to that team. This time, I was on the short end of the stick in terms of who was shooting the nines, but it was different because I felt in control,” said Braden.

Schaff and Anderson each had seven of eight perfect 10s in the match.

The States trio joked about still not fulfilling their goal in the finals arena.

“We wanted to shoot a world record. We want to shoot a perfect score, 240, and we want to do it on the big stage,” said Anderson.

Italian Paralympic silver medallist Alberto Simonelli became only the second para athlete in history to win a medal at the World Archery Championships, after the States’ Kevin Polish in 2005.

“The championships were good but at the end the Americans won because they were stronger,” said Simonelli. “But I hope this medal will help to close the difference between [para archery and able-bodied].”

Simonelli laughed when asked if he’d be back – and said “as soon as possible”.

The Italian wheelchair archer also won team gold with Italy at the World Archery Para Championships in Beijing, China in September.

Colombia’s Sebastian Arenas, Camilo Andres Cardona and Daniel Munoz beat Croatia to bronze.

The match was tied at 170 points each with one end to go. Both teams shot five 10s, then Markes ended with a nine for Croatia. Cardona needed a 10 to win but also shot a nine, leaving the final score at a draw, 229-229.

Colombia posted a perfect 30 points in the shoot-off to clinch the nation’s second compound team medal of the championships.

The 2017 Hyundai World Archery Championships run 15-22 October in Mexico City, Mexico.